imaginative

adjective

i-'ma-jə-nə-tiv How to pronounce imaginative (audio)
Definition of imaginativenext
1
as in inventive
having the skill and imagination to create new things an imaginative child who is always writing short stories about her pet cat

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in innovative
showing a noteworthy use of the imagination and creativity especially in inventing found an imaginative gadget that can grind the beans and heat the water to brew coffee

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of imaginative The most imaginative thing about it is that it’s not called Pickleball. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026 The next breakthrough in cancer diagnosis, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease and countless other conditions is likely sitting today in a university laboratory or is an idea in some imaginative scientist’s head. — Robert Dannals, Baltimore Sun, 20 July 2026 Auspicious Jupiter energizes your 3rd House of Communication while imaginative Neptune harmonizes from your 11th House of Friends and Community, making ideas, introductions, and pitches flow more easily. — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 20 July 2026 Rookie coordinator Christian Parker is a high-energy, imaginative coach with strong communication and instructional skills and a knack for developing young talent. — Mike Jones, New York Times, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for imaginative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imaginative
  1. inventive
  2. innovative
  3. creative
  4. clever
  5. talented
Adjective
  • From cute to hilarious and sometimes even weird, this year’s selection highlights joyful, inventive images.
    — Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • The most inventive kill here — set in a school gym, cuing death by treadmill and falling weights — is also the least motivated, but no matter.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 July 2026
Definition of inventive
Adjective
  • Treatments blend rare organic products and ingredients, a mix of innovative and traditional techniques, and a holistic, 360-degree approach to well-being—and can all be adapted to personal preferences.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
  • In response to these shortcomings, innovative tech companies are now taking a active, airborne approach to pest control by deploying tiny air-to-air killer drones directly into the skies to hunt down and eliminate these deadly insects.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 July 2026
Definition of innovative
Adjective
  • Food is creative and generally healthful, with plenty of veggie-forward options and lots of flavor.
    — Connie Ogle July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • One such injury to Odegaard (knee) half an hour into a home win against West Ham in October halted Arteta’s experimentation with a more creative midfield setup of him and Eberechi Eze ahead of Rice.
    — Art de Roché, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of creative
Adjective
  • Cretton is the rare former indie filmmaker who pushes himself to stage clever action sequences.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
  • Octopuses are as clever, in their own way, as such famously brainy animals as crows, dolphins or chimpanzees.
    — Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 29 July 2026
Definition of clever
Adjective
  • Someone like Marcello Mastroianni, who always downplayed his being this super-talented artist, had a photographic memory and could learn everything by the first read.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026
  • Rogen also worked often with Jonah Hill (Knocked Up) and James Franco (Pineapple Express), but neither of those talented young filmmakers managed to match Rogen’s energy or resilience in conjuring future projects.
    — Peter Bart, Deadline, 30 July 2026
Definition of talented

Browse Nearby Words

imagination
imaginative
imaginativeness
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Cite this Entry

“Imaginative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imaginative. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on imaginative

Nglish: Translation of imaginative for Spanish Speakers

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